Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-01-22

sent for his head clerk, and looked at his list
of engagements for the day There was
nothing set down in the book which the clerk
was not quite as well able to manage as the
master. Mr.. Troy consulted his railway
guide, ordered his cab and caught the next
train 10 South Morden
South Morden was then land remains 10
this day. one of those primitive agricultural
villages, passed over by the march of modern
progress, which are still TO be found in the
near neighborhood of London. Only the
slow trains stopped at the station; aud There
was so little TO do that the station master
and his porter grew flowers on the embank-
ment, and trained creepers over the waiting
room window. Turning your back on the
railway, and walking along the one street Of
South Morden, you found yourself in the old
England of two centuries since Gabled
cottages, with fast-clossd windows; pigs and
poultry in quiet possession of the road; the
venerable church surrounded by its shady
burial ground; the grocer's shop which sold
everything, and the butchers shop which
sold nothing; the scarce inhabitants who
liked good look at stranger, and the I'M
washed children who were pictures of dirty
in the public WELL and the thump of the fall
ing nine-pins in the skittle ground behind the
public house; the horse pond ON one bit Of
open ground and the old elm tree with the
wooden seat round it on the other-these
were some Of the objects that you saw and
some of the noises that you heard in South
Morden, as you passed from one end of the
village to the other
About half a mile beyord the last of the
old cottages modern Eng and met you again
under the form of row of htIe villas, set
up by an adventurous London builder who
had bought the land at a bargain. Each
villa stood in its own little garden, and looked
across stony road at the meadow lands
and softly rising wooded hills beyond Each
villa faced you in the sunshine with the hor-
rid glare of new red brick and forced its
nonsensical name on your attention, traced
in bright paint on the posts of its entrance
gate. Consulting the posts as he advanced
Mr.. Troy arrived in due course of time at
the villa called The Lawn. which derived its
name apparently from circular patch OF
grass in front of the house. The gate resist
ing his efforts to open it, he rang the bell
Admitted by trim, clean, shy little maid
servant, Mr.. Troy looked about him in silent
amazement. Turn which way he might, he
found himself silently confronted by posted
and painted instructions to visitors, which
forbade him to do this, and commanded hin
to do that, at every step of his progress from
the gate to the house. On one side of tn,
lawn label informed him that he was no
to walk on the grass. On the other side
painted hand pointed along boundary wal
to an inscription which warned him to e
that way if he had business in the kitchen
On the gravel walk at the foot of the hous,
steps words, neatly traced in little whit.
shells reminded him not to "forget tn
scraper." On the door step he was informed
in letters of lead, that he was "Welcome!
On the mat in the passage bristly blacl
words burst on his attention, commandin,
him to ''wipe his shoes" Even the hat stant
in the hall was not allowed to speak 70
itself; it had Hats and Cloaks" inscribed OF
it, and 1t issued its directions imperatively il
the matter of your wet umbrella-''Ppt i
here!n
Giving the trim little servant his card, Mr.
Troy was introduced to a reception room Of
the lower floor Before he had time to lool
round him. the door was opened again iron
without, and Isabel stole into the room Oh
|
When she shook hands with the old lawye
the charming smile that he remembered s.
well was gone.
Don't say you have seen me-" she whis
pered 81 am not to come into the room til
my aunt sends for me. Tell me two thing
before l run away again How Is Lad
Lydiard' And have you discovered tn
thief"
Lady Lydiard was well when I last say
her, and we have not yet succeeded in dis
covering the thief" Having answered tn
questions in those terms, Mr.. Troy decide
on questioning Isabel on the subject OF til
steward while he had the chance. ION
question on my side" he said, holding he
back from the door by the arm. do 20
expect Moody to visit you herer
~ am sure he will visit me-" Isabel ar
swered, warmly "He has promised to com
here, at my request never knew what
kind heart Robert Moody had till this mi
fortune fell on me My aunt, who is nc
easily taken with strangers, respects and ad
miras him. can't tell you low good he wa
to me on the journey here, and how kindly
how nobly, he spoke to me when we parted.
She paused, and turned her head away. Tn
tears were rising in her eyes I'm my sitr
alton" she said, family. kindness Is YER
keanly felt. Don't notice nie, Mr.. Troy"
The lawyer waited moment to lot her re
cover herself.
Il agree entirely, my dear, in yorir opinio
Of Moody" he said AT the sans time,
think it right to warn you that his zeal |
your service may possibly outrun his oil
erection He may feel too confidently abou
penetrating the mystery Of the missin
money, and, unless you ara on your guarc
he may raise false hopes in you when 20
next see him Listen to any advice that b
! may give you, by all means; but before 20
decide ON being guided by his opinion, consul
my older experience and hear what hav
to say on the subject. Don't suppose that
am attempting to make you distrust tn
good friend," he added, noticing the look {
uneasy surprise which Isabel fixed on hin
mo such idea is In my mind l only war
you that Moody's eagerness TO be Of servie
to you may mislead him. You understan
met" I'D
"Yes, sir, )" replied Isabel coldly; ~ undel
stand you. Please let me go now. My aur
viii be down directly, and she must not fin
me here" She courtesied with distar
respect and left the room.
80 much for trying to put two ideas Il
gether into a girls mind" thought M
Troy. when he was alone again ''Ths lit
As,.1-u - l..